Local unrest;

I understand the anger and unrest within the Muslim community in Singapore with regards to what MM Lee had to say in his book but I really do not see the need to publish an article on the net and refute him with completely unprofessional and ignorant words.

MUIS has not even bothered to refute any of his statements. AMP has though and I have to say, I’m pleased and proud of them.

The thing is, what I don’t understand is why did he choose to say that it’s least easy to integrate Muslims into the rest of the community because of Islam? Has he not studied and understood Islam? Sources even say that he raised his children the Islamic way. Does he not know that part of being Muslim is to be a good Singaporean? Islam teaches one to be loyal and obedient of one’s country and its rules respectively.

There is nothing wrong in a community wanting to practice its rites and practices and these practices do not disintegrate us from the society as a whole. Just like the SAP schools. There have been various arguments how these students have had no exposure to the other cultural groups and no opportunity to mingle with the other societal members but we choose to agree upon the fact that these schools together with campaigns like Speak Mandarin, give the Chinese Community their identity. It does not in anyway, disintegrate them from the rest of citizens does it?

So on what circumstances do we Muslims,segregate ourselves from the rest? Is it because of the food we eat, or rather, the food that we do not eat?

What about the Vegans (Buddhists and Hindus etc) then? Are they pulling themselves away from the community? I didn’t hear anything about that.

Every religion has its restrictions and as the followers we are obliged to follow through.

Out of what circumstances do we have to compromise religious obligations just because we seemingly are disintegrating ourselves from the larger portion of the society?

Anyway as Muslims in this country, we should look upon this as a lesson for us to be united and stronger as an Ummah inshaAllah.

A'qilah Saiere

Let's wait to be happy;

I read a post on a Sister's blog today over on tumblr and she was speaking about how we tend to stop ourselves from being happy with excuses like how things will fall into place when we get our things right - when we're happily married, when we become rich, when we end university, get into an ivy league etc. Read the rest of her blog here.

We convince ourselves over and over again that things will get better tomorrow but all we do is sit on our butts and wait for something to magically straighten things out. So many people have come to me to tell me how it's alright to feel like a mess at this age. I'm 18. In 2 years, it'd mean that I've lived on the face of the earth for 2 decades. I have met people who have represented their countries for noble organisations like UNICEF, people who are older than me by just 2 years but they run a charitable organisation for the poor, people who have accomplished way more respectable deeds that I ever have within the same amount of years that they have spent living on the face of this earth. With that, more often than always I'd ponder on this fact and make myself feel like I'm the most useless person and that I'm nothing more than an angsty 18 year old teenager that is doomed to be working in a childcare centre for the rest of my life. And all I ever tell myself is that I'll be free and happy as soon as I'm done with my diploma and degree.

Why do I keep telling myself that I'll be free and happy only when I'm done with my diploma and degree? Is my life just about chasing certificates?

I don't know about you but I'm done being upset that I'm stuck in college. I'm going to try and find some joy in learning and climbing up this ladder till the end.

I'm going to go be happy now & you should too.

A'qilah Saiere

to keep breathing;

Bismillahir-Rahmanir- Rahim

I pray that all of you are in the best of health and highest of Imaan inshaAllah.

I haven't been in the best of state for this few days and I find myself blaming the overwhelming amount of workload I have for feeling this way. This meaning, the feeling you have when you go around with a heavy heart and a heavy mind.

To be honest, it's not all work. It is probably also (or rather, the more likely reason as to why I feel horribly knackered and empty all the time) because I haven't made the effort to pick up the Qur'an and read a few pages of it every now and then.

I find myself constantly in a rush. Rushing for what, I have no idea.

It's like I've lost myself to Dunya, to the society, to my Nafs.

Astaghfirullahal Azeem :(

Let this be a reminder for all of us that the best way to feel revitalised and alive amidst all the hustle and bustle of work or school for all of us, is through Salah & the Qur'an.

A'qilah Saiere.